Prognosis Factors in Japanese Elderly Patients with Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma Treated with a Nonradiation, Intermediate-Dose Methotrexate-Containing Regimen

Background: Nearly half of all patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) are known to be aged over 60 years. However, clinical factors affecting treatment outcomes in elderly patients are understudied. Methods: We analyzed 38 patients with PCNSL older than 60 years. All patients were treated with a nonradiation, intermediate-dose methotrexate-containing regimen between March 2005 and May 2013 at the University of Tsukuba Hospital. Results: The 3-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 56.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) 36.2-76.2%) and 29.8% (95% CI 9-50.6%), respectively, with a median follow-up of 36.5 months. We found that an age > 75 years, a Karnofsky performance score 90 ml/min were significant (p Conclusion: More intensive therapy may be introduced in selected patients with poor prognosis factors to improve outcomes.